With its vast expanse of vineyards set against a backdrop of sloping green mountains and startling blue sky, the Cape Winelands are one of South Africa’s most enchanting landscapes, and a visit is as much about the gorgeous scenery as the wine itself. Here are your options for exploring the Cape Winelands from Cape Town.
Half-Day Tours
If time is of the essence, opt for a half-day wine tour, or splash out on a VIP half-day Cape Winelands tour and fly in from Cape Town by helicopter. Soar over the vineyards on a thrilling flight, and then touch down at one of the region’s esteemed wine estates for an indulgent wine tasting lunch before being whisked back to the city.
Full-Day Tours
Full-day tours allow plenty of time to discover the principal wine routes of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl, where you can learn more about the winemaking process during a winery tour, and sip a variety of fine South African wines during a guided wine tasting. For a more personalized experience, opt for a small-group or private tour, or choose a tour that includes added extras such as a ride on the Franschhoek Wine Tram, a visit to Cape Point, or a bike tour of the vineyards.
Multi-Day Tours
With time to spare, combine a Cape Winelands day tour with Western Cape attractions such as Boulders Beach, Cape Point, and Table Mountain National Park; a Cape Town city sightseeing tour; or activities such as a whale-watching cruise or shark cage diving from Cape Agulhas. Multi-day tours typically include accommodation, some meals, and entrance fees making them a great-value option for those looking to explore more of the West Coast.
Things to Know
- The closest of the wineries in Cape Winelands is about 45 minutes from Cape Town by road.
- Full-day Cape Town tours to the Cape wine region typically last eight or nine hours.
- The legal drinking age of 18 applies for all wine tasting in the Cape Winelands.
- Round-trip transport is included for all day trips, a helpful inclusion given South Africa’s strict drinking and driving laws.
